Leg-rest and self actuating control arrangement for reclining chair



Sept. 26, 1961 P. s. FLETCHER 3,001,813

LEG-REST AND SELF ACTUATING CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 51, 1957 5,Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR.

PETER S. FLETCHE R Sept. 26, 1961 P. s. FLETCHER 3,001,813

- LEG-REST AND SELF ACTUATING CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 31, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

F l G. 6

9 w INVENTQR.

PETER .5. FLETCHER Sept. 26, 1961 P. s. FLETCHER LEG-REIST AND SELF ACTUATING CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR RECLINING CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 51, 1957 INVENTOR. "PETER s. FLETCHER BY q ATT R Y5 Sept. 26, 1961 P. s. FLETCHER 3,001,818

LEG-REST AND SELF ACTUATING CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 31, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 -1NVENTOR.

4:; PETER s F1- 53: HtiL.

v v I 420 Sept. 26, 1961 P. s. FLETCHER 3,001,818

LEG-REST AND SELF ACTUATING CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 31, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

PETER 5. FLETCHER BY AMI/1v ATTQRNIYS I United States Patent 3,001,818 LEG-REST AND SELF ACTUATING CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR RECLINING CHAIR Peter S. Fletcher, Boynton Beach, Fla, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla. Filed May 31, 1957, Ser. No. 662,811 Claims. (Cl. 297-85) The present invention relates generally to articles of furniture, and in particular to an improved leg-rest and self actuating control arrangement for the type of reclining chair including a support and body supporting means having a seat and back-rest movably mounted on the support.

Reclining chairs are generally known which incorporate a support and body-supporting means including a backrest movable to various reclined positions and a seat movable rearwardly relative to the support in response to movement of the back-rest into said various reclined positions. Such known chairs usually include a leg-rest disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of the seat, with provision for coordinating movement of the leg-rest to the movement of the back-rest into the various reclined positions. Accordingly, when a person, seated in the chair, leans back to displace the back-rest from its normal position to any one of the many reclined positions, the leg-rest is moved by its coordination to the back-rest to an appropriate extended and elevated position forwardly of the seat to comfortably accommodate the legs of the person seated in the chair.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest and self-actuating control for said leg-rest to be incorporated into a chair of the aforesaid construction. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest and control or actuating means therefor which achieves the coordinated control of the leg-rest is response to translation or movement of the seat rearwardly relative to the support as the back-rest is moved into the various reclined positions.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention, my improved leg-rest and self-actuating control arrangement includes the leg-rest which is disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of the seat and control means which are operatively connected between the seat and the leg-rest for translating the leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of the seat rearwardly relative to the support. The control means include first and second link pairs, with one link of the first link pair being pivotally connected to one link of the second link pair and with one of these links having a further pivotal connection to the support. The leg-rest is operatively connected to the first and second link pairs, either directly, or by means of further linkage arrangements, whereby in response to the rearward movement of the seat relative to the support, the leg-rest is translated upwardly and outwardly relative to the seat. My improved self-actuating control finds application in reclining chairs where the seat and backrest are rigid with each other and in reclining chairs where the seat is movable relative to the back-rest.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be best appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a number of presently preferred illustrative embodiments demonstrating the several aspects of my invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of reclining chair illustrating features of the present involition, with a portion of the adjacent side Wall of the "ice chair broken away to disclose the details of the operating mechanisms at said adjacent side of the chair;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the linkages employed at each side of the chair in FIG. 1 for coordinating movement of the leg-rest to movement of the seat, said linkages being illustrated in the normal position of the chair with the back-rest thereof substantially upright;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, showing the coordinated upwardly and outwardly displaced position of the leg-rest when the seat is translated rearwardly on the support from the position illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic showing similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing the linkages in the position corresponding to the reclined position of the chair illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of reclining'chair illustrating features of the present invention, with a portion of the adjacent side wall of the chair broken away to disclose the details of the operating mechanisms at said adjacent side of the chair;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of the linkages employed at each side of the chair in FIG. 5 for coordinating movement of the leg-rest to movement of the seat, said linkages being illustrated in the normal positions of the chair with the back-rest thereof substantially upright;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 6, showing the coordinated upwardly and outwardly displaced position of the leg-rest When the seat is translated rearwardly on the support from the position illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic showing, similar to that of FIG. 6, but showing the linkages in the position corresponding to the reclined position of the chair illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of reclining chair illustrating features of the present invention, with a portion of the adjacent side wall of the chair broken away to disclose the details of the operating mechanisms at said adjacent side of the chair;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic. showing of the linkages employed at each side of the chair in FIG. 9 for coordie nating movement of the leg-rest to movement of the seat, said linkages being illustrated in the normal position of the chair with the back-rest thereof substantially upright;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 10, showing the coordinated upwardly and outwardlydise placed position of the leg-rest when the seat is translated rearwardly on the support from the position illustrated in FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic showing, similar to that of FIG. 10, but showing the linkages in the position 601113,-

sponding to the reclined position of the chair illustrated in FIG. 11.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, there is shown a first embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention, which except for the arrange.- ment of the leg-rest and its self-actuating control is sub.- ject to a latitude of variation and change, as is well under-. stood in the art. Specifically, and as demonstrated best in FIGS. 1 and 3, the chair 10 includes a support or frame 12, body-supporting means 14 having a seat 16 and back-rest l8, and a leg-rest 20 disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of the seat and mounted hereinafter described for coordinated movementin response to rearward movement of the seat 16 on the sup port 12. In the illustrative form of the invention, identical linkage arrangements are employed at each side of the chair for coordinating movement of the leg-rest 20 to the seat 16. Accordingly, it will suflice to describe in detail the linkage mechanisms at the adjacent side of the chair,

t 3 which adjacent side has been exposed by removal of the coextensive portion of the support or frame 12.

The back-rest 18 of the body-supporting means is rockably mounted on the support 12 at the pivot 22 by means of the depending brackets 24 at each side of the chair which are connected at pivots 22 to the adjacent sides of the support 12. The seat 16 is movably mounted on the back-rest 18 by a pair of rearwardly projecting arms 26 which are fixed to the seat at its opposite sides and are pivotally connected, as at 28, to the sides of the back-rest. In the normal horizontal and forward position of the seat 16, corresponding to the position wherein the back-rest 18 is substantially upright, the seat 16 rests on an appropriate stop 30 which extends between and is secured to the opposite sides of the support 12. The described arrangement is effective to translate the seat rearwardly substantially in a horizontal path (as may be seen by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 3) in response to movement of the back-rest 18 into various inclined positions.

In accordance with this form of my invention, the improved self-actuating control means for the leg-rest, generally designated by the reference numeral 32, incorporates a first link pair 34, 36 and a second link pair 38, 40. The link 34 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection 42 at its upper end to the seat 16 whereby the first link 34 is pivotally supported on the seat 16. Further the link 34 has a pivotal connection 44 at its lower end to the lower and rearward end of the link 36 of the first link pair whereby the second link 36 is pivotally carried by the first link 34. Similarly, the first link 38 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 46 at its upper end to the seat whereby the first link 38 of the second link pair is pivotally supported on the seat 16. Further the link 38 has a pivotal connection 48 at its lower end to the lower rearward end of the second link pair 40 of the second link whereby the second link 40 is pivotally carried by the first link 38.

One link of the first link pair 34, 36 has a pivotal connection to one link of the second'link pair 38, 40; and one of these pivotal-connected links has a further pivotal connection to the support 12 whereby, in response to the rearward movement of the seat 16relative to the support 12, the leg-rest 20 is translated upwardly and outwardly relative to the seat 16. In this illustrative form of the invention, the first link 38 of the second link pair is arranged to cross over the second link 36 of the first link pair and at this cross-over point there is a pivotal connection 50 between the respective links 36, 38. Further, the link 38 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 52 to the adjacent side of the support provided by the bracket or fixture 54.

The respective link pairs 34, 36 and 38, 40 have operan've connections to the leg-rest 20 at spaced apart locations. In this form, the operative connections are made directly to the links 36, 40. Link 36 has a pivotal connection 56 at its uppermost or forward end to the leg-rest 20 at a point adjacent to the upper end of the leg-rest, while link 40 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 58 to the leg-rest at a point spaced below the pivotal connection 56.

The function and purpose of my improved construction may be more fully appreciated by reference to a typical sequence of operations:

When the user is seated in the chair, in an upright position corresponding to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and leans backwardly therein, the back-rest 18 is translated rearwardly in an are about the pivot 22 and the seat 16 is translated rearwardly relative to the support 12 along with the back-rest, for example, into the rearward translated position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In response to such rearward displacement of the seat 16 relative to the support 12, the spaced pivots 42, 46 for the links 34, 38 of the respective first and second link pairs are moved rearwardly and the link 38 turns about 4 t the pivot 52 on the support which in turn propels the links 36, 40 outwardly and upwardly to move the leg-rest to the elevated position (illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) spaced from the adjacent forward end of the seat. The rearward rocking of the link 34 of the first link pair 34, 36 is limited by the transversely-extending stop 30; and when the linkage is brought into position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the link 34 abuts the stop 30 and limits further rearward movement of the back-rest 18 and of the seat 16. In lieu of employing the stop 30 to limit the rearward rocking of the link 34, an appropriate stop may be located at different position to limit, for example, the rearward reclining movement of the back-rest 18.

When the user desires to restore the chair from the reclined position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the normal or upright position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is merely necessary to exert a slight downward pressure against the leg-rest 20. This pressure translates itself into a corresponding movement of the linkage or control means 32 whereby the chair is restored to the normal or upright position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive, there is shown a second embodiment of my improved legrest control arrangement as applied to a chair including a rigid seat and back-rest. In that many parts of this embodiment are similar to those illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numerals as parts of a series.

Specifically, the chair includes a support or frame 112, body-supporting means 114 having a seat 116 rigid with a back-rest 118, and a leg-rest 120 disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of the seat 116 and mounted as hereinafter described for coordinated movement upwardly and outwardly in response to rearward movement of the seat 116 on the support 112.

As before, identical linkage arrangements are provided at each side of the seat and accordingly it will sufiice to describe the details of the mechanism at the near side of the seat. The unitary seat and back-rest structure 114 is rockably mounted on the support 112 adjacent the rearward end of the seat 116 by means of a depending guiding link 124 which is pivotally connected at 122 to the support and at 126 to the under surface of the seat 116. The guiding link 124 has its upper pivoted end 126 disposed slightly forwardly of a dead center position and is adapted to rock rearwardly in a rather flat are for a first portion of its clockwise pivotal movement about the pivot 122 and thereafter in a rather sharp downward arc during the next portion of its rearward pivotal movement. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, a stop 127 is fixed between the opposite sides of the frame or support 112 at a location rearwardly of the pivot 122 in a position to abut the guiding link 124 to limit its rearward and clockwise pivotal movement about the pivot 122. In the normal and forward position of the seat 116, corresponding to the position wherein the back-rest is substantially upright, the seat 116 bears against an appropriate stop 130 which extends between and is secured to the opposite sides of the support 122. In response to rearward pivoting of the unitary seat and back-rest structure 114, the seat 116 translates rearwardly, and during said rearward movement bears against the stop 130.

In accordance with this form of my invention, the improved self-actuating control for the leg-rest 120, generally designated by the reference numeral 132, includes a first link pair 134, 136 and a second link pair 138, 140. The link 134 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection 142 at its upper end to the seat 116, whereby the first link 134 is pivotally supported on the seat 116. Further the link 134 has a pivotal connection 144 at its lower end to the lower and rearward end of the link 136 of the first link pair, whereby the second link 136 is pivotally carried by the first link 134. Similarly, the first link 138 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection seems 146 at its upper end to the seat at a location spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 142, whereby the first link 138 of the second link pair is pivotally supported on the seat 116. Further, the first link 138 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 148 at its lower end to the lower rearward end of the second link 140 of the second link pair, whereby the second link 148 is pivotally carried by the first link 138.

One link of the first link pair 134, 136 has a pivotal connection to one link of the second link pair 138, 140; and one of these pivotal-connected links has a further pivotal connection to the support 112 whereby, in response to rearward movement of the seat 116 relative to the support 122, the leg-rest is translated upwardly and outwardly relative to the seat. In this form of the invention, the second link 136 of the first link pair is arranged to cross over the first link 1338 of the second link pair and at this cross-over point there is a pivotal connection 152 between the respective links 136, 138. Further, the pivotal connection 152 provides a pivot to the adjacent side of the support 112 by an extension of the pivotal connection 152 to the bracket or fixture 154. Thus, the required pivotal connections between the crossed links 136, 138 and between one of the crossed links (e.g. the link 138) and the support 112 are coaxial.

The respective link pair 134, 136 and 138, 140 have operative connections to the leg-rest 120 at spaced apart locations. In this form, a third link pair 160, 162 is employed to make the operative connection from the link 136 of the first link pair to the leg-rest 120 at the pivotal connection 158; while the link 146 of the second link pair is directly connected to the leg-rest at the pivotal connection 156 spaced above the pivotal connection 158. The link 160 of the third link pair has a pivotal connection 164 at its upper end to the adjacent forward end of the link 136, has a pivotal connection 166 at its lower end to the rearward end of the link 162, and has a further pivotal connection 168 to the link 140 at the location where the link 160 crosses behind the link 1140.

When the user is seated in the chair in the upright position, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and leans backwardly, the seat 116 is translated rearwardly relative to the support 112 along with the back-rest 114, for example into the rearwardly translated position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In response to rearward displacement of the seat 116, the spaced pivots 142, 146 for the first links 134, 138 of the respective first and second link pairs are moved rearwardly; and the coaxially-pivoted links 136, 138 will turn about the pivot 152 on the support which in turn propels the links 136, 140 upwardly and outwardly which via the third link pair 160, 162 is effective to move the leg-rest 120 into the coordinated elevated position, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The rearward rocking movement of the unitary seat and backrest structure 114 is limited by the stop 127, as previously detailed, but the stop 130 could be used to limit the rearward movement of the structure 114 by coming into contact with the link 134. The chair may be restored to the normal upright position'of FIGS. 5 and 6 by exerting a slight downward pressure against the leg-rest 120 and leaning forwardly in the chair to effect operation of the described linkages.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 9 to 12 inclusive, there is shown a third embodiment of my improved legrest control arrangement as applied to a chair including a rigid seat and back-rest. In that many parts of this embodiment are similar to previous embodiments, corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numerals as part of a 400 series.

Specifically, the chair 410 includes a support or frame 412, body-supporting means 414 having a seat 416 rigid with a back-rest 418, and a leg-rest 420 disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of the seat 416 and mounted as hereinafter described for coordinated movement 6 upwardly and outwardly in response to rearward movement of the seat 416 on the support 412.

The unitary seat and back-rest structure 414 is rockably mounted on the support 412 adjacent the rearward end of the seat 416 by means of a depending guiding roller 422 which is engaged within a downwardly and rearwardly curved guideway 424. The guiding roller is disposed at the forward and upper end of the guidway 424 and is adapted to move downwardly and rearwardly to the other limit of the guidway 424. In the normal and forward position of the seat 416, corresponding to the position wherein the back-rest 418 is substantially upright, the link 438 bears against an appropriate stop 430 which extends between and is secured to the 0pposite sides of the support 422. In response to rearward pivoting of the unitary seat and back-rest structure 414, the seat 416 translates rearwardly and down wardly until the roller 422 is at the rearward and lower end of the guidway 424.

In accordance with this form of my invention, the improved self-actuating control for the leg-rest 420, generally designated by the reference numeral 432, includes a first link pair 434, 436 and a second link pair 438, 440. The link 434 of the first link pair has a pivotal connection 442 at its upper end to the seat 416, whereby the first link 434 is pivotally supported on the seat 416. Further, the link 434 has a pivotal connection 444 at its end to the lower rearward end of the link 436 of the first link pair, whereby the second link 436 is pivotally carried by the first link 434. Similarly, the first link 438 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 446 at its upper end to the seat at a location spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 442', whereby the first link 4323 of the second link pair is pivotally supported on the seat 416. Further, the first link 438 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 448- at its lower end to the lower rearward end of the second link 440 of the second link pair, whereby the second link 4411 is pivotally carried by the first link 438.

One link of the first link pair 434, 436 has a pivotal connection to one link of the second link pair 438, 44.0; and one of these pivotally connected links has a further pivotal connection to the support 412 whereby, in response to rearward movement of the seat 416 relative to the support 422, the leg-rest is translated upwardly and outwardly relative to the seat. In this form of the invention the second link 436 of the first link pair is arranged to cross the first link 438 of the second pair and at this cross-over point there is a pivotal connection 450 between the respective links 436, 438. Further, the link 438 has a pivotal connection 452 to the support 412 at the bracket 454.

The respective link pairs 434, 436 and 438, 440 have operative connections to the leg-rest 420 at spaced apart locations. In this form, a third link pair 460, 462 is employed to make the operative connection from the link 436 of the first link pair to the leg-rest 420 at the pivotal connection 456; while a fourth link pair 470, 472 connects the link 440 of the second link pair to the leg-rest 420 at the pivotal connection 458 spaced below the pivotal connection 456. The link 460 of the third link pair has a pivotal connection 464 at its upper end to the adjacent forward end of the link 436, has a pivotal connection 466 at its lower end to the rearward end of the link 462, and has a further pivotal connection 468 to the link 440 at a location where the link 460 crosses the link 440. The link 470 of the fourth link pair has a pivotal connection 474 at its upper end to the adjacent forward end of the link 440, has a pivotal connection 476 at its lower end to the rearward end of the link 472, and has a further pivotal connection 478 to the link 462 at a location where the 462 crosses the link 470.

When the user is seated in the chair in the upright position, illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, and leans back wardly, the seat is translated rearwardly relative to the support 412 along with the back-rest 418. In response to rearward displacement of the seat 418, the spaced pivots 442, 446 for the first links 434, 438 of the respective first and second link pairs are moved rearwardly and the pivoted link 438 will turn about the pivot 452 on the support 412 which in turn propels the links 436, 440 upwardly and outwardly which via the third and fourth link pairs 460, 462 and 470, 472 are effective to move the leg-rest into the coordinated elevated position, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. The rearward rocking movement of the unitary seat and back-rest structure 414 is limited by the roller 422 reaching the limit position in the guideway 424 as previously detailed. The chair may be restored to the normal upright position of FIGS. 9 and by exerting a slight downward pressure against the leg-rest 420 and leaning forwardly in the chair to effect operation of the described linkages.

A latitude of modifications, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in certain instances some features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What I claim is:

1. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means movably mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat operatively connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said seat and said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs with one link of said first link pair crossing over one link of said second link pair, means pivotally connecting the crossing links of said first and second link pairs to each other at the cross-over point, the first link of each of said first and second link pairs being pivotally connected to said seat at spaced apart locations, means pivotally connecting the crossing one of said first links to said support, and the second link of each of said first and second link pairs being operatively connected to said leg-rest at spaced apart locations.

2. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means including a guide link pivoted between said back-rest and said support to mount said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat operatively connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said seat and said legrest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs with one link of said first link pair crossing over one link of said second link pair, means pivotally connecting the crossing links of said first and second link pairs to each other at the crossover point, the first link of each of said first and second link pairs being pivotally connected to said seat at spaced apart locations, means pivotally connecting the crossing one of said first links to said support, and the second link of each of said first and second link pairs being operatively connected to said leg-rest at spaced apart locations.

3. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means including a camming surface and a follower movably mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat operatively connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said seat and said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs with one link of said first link pair crossing over one link of said second link pair, means pivotally connecting the crossing links of said first and second link pairs to each other at the cross-over point, the first link of each of said first and second link pairs being pivotally connected to said seat at spaced apart locations, means pivotally connecting the crossing one of said first links to said support, and the second link of each of said first and second link pairs being operatively connected to said leg-rest at spaced apart locations.

4. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means pivotally mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat pivotally connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, means operative to guide said seat in its rearward movement, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said seat and said legrest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rewardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs with one link of said first link pair crossing over one link of said second link pair, means pivotally connecting the crossing links of said first and second link pairs to each other at the cross-over point, means pivotally connecting one of said crossing links to said support, means pivotally connecting said one link of said first link pair and the other link of said second link pair to said seat at spaced apart locations, and means operatively connecting the other link of said first link pair and said one link of said second link pair to said legrest at spaced apart locations.

5. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means movably mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat rigidly connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, means operative to guide said seat in its rearward movement, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said seat and said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs with one link of said first link pair crossing over one link of said second link pair, means pivotally connecting the crossing links of said first and second link pairs to each other and to said support at the cross-over point, means pivotally connecting the other link of said first link pair and said one link of said second link pair to said seat at spaced apart locations, and means operatively connecting said one link of said first link pair and the other link of said second link pair to said legrest at spaced apart locations.

6. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support and body-supporting means including a back-rest movable to various reclined positions and a seat rigid with said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to movement of said back-rest into said various reclined positions, said arrangement comprising a leg-rest disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of said seat, and control means including at least a first link pair having a first link pivotally supported on said seat and a second link pivotally carried by said first link, a second link pair having a third link pivotally supported on said seat and a fourth link pivotally carried by said third link, said second link of said first link pair having a pivotal connection to said third link of said second link pair and said third link having a pivotal connection to said support whereby in response to rearward movement of said seat relative to said support, said leg-rest is moved upwardly and outwardly relative to said seat, and respective linkage means connecting said second link of said first link pair and said fourth link of said second link pair to said leg-rest at spaced apart locations.

7. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support and body-supporting means having a back-rest movable to various reclined positions and a seat movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to movement of said back-rest into said various reclined positions, said arrangement comprising a leg-rest disposed adjacent to and beneath said seat, and control means including at least a first link pair having a first link pivotally supported on said seat and a second link pivotally carried by said first link, a second link pair having a third link pivotally supported on said seat and a fourth link pivotally carried by said third link and pivotally connected to said leg-rest, one link of said first link pair having a pivotal connection to one link of said second link pair and one of said first and third links having a pivotal connection to said support, and a third link pair having a fifth link pivotally connected to said second link of said first link pair and a sixth link pivotally carried by said fifth link and operatively connected to said leg-rest whereby in response to rearward movement of said seat relative to said support, said leg-rest is moved upwardly and outwardly relative to said seat.

8. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means movably mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat operatively connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said forward portion of said seat and said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs with one of said first link pair crossing over one link of said second link pair, means pivotally connecting the crossing links of said first and second link pairs to each other at the cross-over point, means pivotally connecting the first link of each of said first and second link pairs to said seat at spaced apart locations, means pivotally connecting the crossing one of said first links to said support, means pivotally connecting the second link of said second link pair to said leg-rest, and means including a third link pair pivotally connecting the second link of said first link pair to said leg-rest.

9. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means movably mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat operatively connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said forward portion of said seat and said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs each including first and second pivotally connected links, means pivotally connecting said first link of each link pair to said seat at spaced apart locations, means pivotally connecting one of said first links of said link pairs to said support, means operatively connecting said second links of said link pairs to said leg-rest, said last-named means including a third link pair pivotally connecting said second link of said first link pair to said leg-rest.

10. In a reclining chair, a support, a back-rest, means movably mounting said back-rest on said support for movement into various reclined positions, a seat operatively connected to said back-rest and movable rearwardly relative to said support in response to reclining movement of said back-rest, a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion of said seat, and control means operatively connected between said forward portion of said seat and said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest upwardly and outwardly in response to movement of said seat rearwardly relative to said support, said control means including first and second link pairs each including first and second pivotally connected links, means pivotally connecting said first link of each link pair to said seat at spaced apart locations, means pivotally connecting one of said first links of said link pairs to said support, means operatively connecting said second links of said link pairs to said leg-rest, said means including a third link pair pivotally connecting said second link of said first link pair to said leg-rest and a fourth link pair pivotally connecting said second link of said second link pair to said legrest.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,693,845 Hoffman Nov. 9, 1954 2,781,824 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 2,781,825 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 ,827,108 Lorenz Mar. 18, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS v 724,385 Great Britain Feb. 16, 1955 738,350 Great Britain Oct. 12, 1955 

